Dr. Robert Marzano is the CEO of Marzano Research Laboratory in Centennial, CO and Senior Scholar at Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning in Denver, CO. He is the author of 30 books, 150 articles and chapters in books, and 100 sets of curriculum materials for teachers and students in grades K–12. His works include: The Art and Science of Teaching, Classroom Assessment and Grading That Work, What Works in Schools: Translating Research into Action, School Leadership That Works, Building Background Knowledge for Academic Achievement, Classroom Management That Works, Classroom Instruction That Works, Transforming Classroom Grading, and A Different Kind of Classroom: Teaching with Dimensions of Learning.

During his 40 years in public education, Marzano has worked in every state multiple times as well as a host of countries in Europe and Asia.

John L. Brown is currently an educational consultant for ASCD in the division of program development. He is also a member of the national training cadres for Understanding by Design and What Works in Schools. He has extensive experience in public education, including previous roles as the director of staff development and director of program development for Prince George's County Public Schools, MD.

Brown has also worked in the fields of curriculum supervision, gifted and talented, and English/language arts. In addition, he has taught at both the secondary and college/university levels. He has been a consultant to school districts throughout the United States, Canada, and Barbados, conducting workshops and long-term coaching follow-up on Understanding by Design, What Works in Schools, Dimensions of Learning, learning styles, and standards- and research-based best practices in curriculum and instruction.

His publications include the recent ASCD book Making the Most of Understanding by Design as well as the best-selling Observing Dimensions of Learning in Classrooms and Schools. Brown is also the coauthor of the ASCD premium member book The Hero's Journey: How Educators Can Transform Schools and Improve Learning. He has developed a variety of electronic products for ASCD, including authoring five Professional Development Online courses and contributing to several videotape series.